Luther's Crisis of Conscience

["On Demand" Episode. Pre-recorded. Do not call in.] Most people think of October 31st as Halloween. But on October 31st 1517, Martin Luther nailed a manuscript of 95 theses (statements) to the door of Wittenberg Castle in Germany, marking the start of the Protestant Reformation. He was responding to the claims of Johan Tetzel, a monk raising money on behalf of Pope Leo X. "You should know," Tetzel cried to the crowds, "that whoever has confessed his sins and is contrite and puts alms into the box as his confessor counsels him, will have all of his sins forgiven. So why are you all standing about idly? RUN, all of you, for the salvation of yours souls! Do you not hear the voices of your dead parents, screaming [from Purgatory] and saying 'Have pity on me ... we are suffering severe punishment and pain, from which YOU could rescue us!" * [The Reformation of Hans Hillebrand: Dokument zum Ablasstreit" by W. Kohler, 1517]. 

This was the state of Christianity before the Reformation; and before Martin Luther. This Thursday we'll discuss Luther's crisis of conscience that led to the greatest split in Christendom. Your host, Rev. Rick Anderson, on "Jewish Roots", each Thursday through http:://www.scripturesdramatized.com or through http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fougcrew. Internet radio! To call with a question or comment: 347-324-5759.